Cougar Town saved from the axe by TBS

US broadcaster TBS has officially stepped in to save the Courtney Cox comedy from almost inevitable termination by ABC.

The deal paves the way for a 15-episode fourth season, which is set to debut in early 2013 in the US.

As part of the agreement, TBS has also acquired re-run rights to the show’s first three seasons.

Announcing the news, Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), said: “Cougar Town is a smart, whimsical sitcom that draws its humour from likable, relatable characters. We are thrilled to have it moving to the TBS neighborhood as the network continues to expand its slate of original comedy series.”

The news will doubtless be welcomed by series co-creator Bill Lawrence, who has been lobbying hard to keep the show running following the delay to the airing of the show’s third season in the US and its subsequent trimmed episode order.

Lawrence even launched an unprecedented grass roots PR campaign that he had to fund in order to rally fans behind it.